KIWIS FEEL WRATH OF US

The Football Ferns felt the wrath of the world champions after a rare loss, suffering a heavy 6-1 defeat in their second game of the Tokyo Olympics after falling apart in the final 10 minutes.

The United States were smarting after their shock 3-0 loss to Sweden ended a 44-game unbeaten run and they could have hit double figures at Saitama Stadium on Saturday had it not been for the offside flag.

They had four goals ruled out for offside in the first half but still scored four legit ones past young goalkeeper Anna Leat, while defenders Abby Erceg and CJ Bott both conceded own goals as well.

‘‘I can’t fault the players. They gave blood, sweat and tears out on the field tonight against a very good team,’’ coach Tom Sermanni said.

‘‘The effort was first class but if we could fulfil the game plan for the full 90 minutes the scoreline would have been a bit more respectable.’’

With First Lady Jill Biden watching, the United States got off to the perfect start when Rose Lavelle slotted home past Leat, who was handed a surprise start, inside the opening 10 minutes.

Despite the early setback, the Football Ferns were much braver in possession than they were against Australia and created two great chances for striker Hannah Wilkinson in the first half but could not capitalise.

‘‘I think Wilky did an unbelievable job up front. We don’t get an awful lot of possession against the US, so it’s a lonely job up there as a striker and I thought she did an outstanding job against the two centre-backs, and she was extremely unlucky not to get on the scoresheet,’’ Sermanni said.

The United States made New Zealand pay for those misses with Lindsey Horan doubling their lead right before halftime from a corner.

The United States made it 3-0 early in the second half when Erceg headed into her own net while attempting to clear the ball, but the Football Ferns managed to pull one back through Betsy Hassett in the 72nd minute.

But just when the Football Ferns thought they were back in the game at two goals down, the United States turned to their bench and turned the screws. Super-subs Christen Press and Alex Morgan both added to the scoreline in the dying stages, while Press also forced a second own goal, with the scoreline blowing out to hand the Football Ferns their heaviest defeat since 2009.

Sermanni felt the bloated scoreline was not a true reflection of the game.

‘‘I thought for the first 30 minutes of the second half we played exceptionally well,’’ Sermanni said.

‘‘Our discipline was good, we got ourselves back in the game at 3-1 and then the last 10 minutes we lost our way a little bit and a scoreline that might have been a fairer reflection of the game was a little blown out, which is disappointing.’’